THE HALFWAY HOUSE in Elmhurst is your place for simulator golf. Located at 555 S. York Road next to HB Jones, the Halfway bring a variety of options for golfers. Take lessons, play in leagues, play over 90 courses world wide, and enjoy the various daily specials, call (331)-642-8050 to book your tee time today., MCWETHY’S TAVERN is now open year round even when Mistwood golf Club is closed, the restaurant and Great Hall are getting busy as the secret of this location is getting around. McWethy’s mixes a golf and fine dining atmosphere that makes any meal enjoyable. Doesn’t hesitate any longer get to McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood Golf Club on Renwick Road in Romeoville, see Mcwethystavern.com for more information. LINKS & TEE’S on Lake Street in Addison is a year round award winning golf facility, and right now the Golf Dome is open until the outdoor course and range open for the summer. For more information on Links and Tee’s call (630)-233-7275 or see Addisonparks.org. Links & Tee’s enjoy year round. ______________________________________________________________________   THE NEW BOB VOKEY SM6 WEDGES (L), The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. In the Sunice Typhoon Outerwear Jacket at the Glenview Golf Club in Glenview.                 ______________________________________________________________________

The GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With a Vokey Wedge in the hitting bay in the Mistwood Golf Club Performance Center.

As Bob Vokey himself will tell you, the SM6 line of Vokey Wedges (Now available) is yet another level higher than what Vokey has produced in the past.

SM6 improves your return in all of the areas golfers demand results from their wedges, distance and spin, while filling in the gaps of the yardage you need.

The rank and file of the PGA Tour has already made the Vokey SM6 wedges the most played wedges on the PGA Tour.

The master of Grind works in his studio.

Vokey will tell anyone who asks that he has the best lab in the world to create his lines of wedges, he calls it the PGA Tour.

If there is one club maker in the world who really does his research at the golf course and monitors the feedback of the worlds greatest players, it’s Vokey.

While the guys on tour stake their livelyhood on Vokey, quite often it’s the amateur golfers that benefit the most. Vokey’s attention to detail helps the non pro’s escape the rough, the bunkers, and gives them a chance to spin it in close to pins that would seem to hard at first glance, to land an approach shot into easy birdie or par range.

The line of Vokey SM6 wedges, now available as of last weekend in your pro shops.

The new SM6 wedges give the golfer precise distance control, enhanced shot versatility, maximum spin and superior feel.

Titleist and Vokey say that a new Progressive Center of Gravity design is aligning with the impact position of each loft to provide precise distance and trajectory control with exceptional feel.

LOW LOFT- 46/52 degrees. SM6 models have a low CG that increases ball speed 1,5 MPH and 3-5 yards. This technology is hightend by a thinner topline and raised lower section.

The Vokey SM6 60 degree Lob wedge

MID-LOFTS 54-56 degrees. These clubs have a mid CG position, that are aligned between low and high lofts. Titleist says they provide precise distance gapping.

HIGH-LOFTS 58-62 degrees. These wedges have a high CG position that creates tighter distance dispersion, along with better trajectory control and a better feel. The technology aligns with an impact position that is higher on the face of the club, and the club is highlighted with a raised upper section of the club.

All of the SM6 grinds (L,M,S,F,K) are now in play across professional tours worldwide.

The new TX4 Spin Milled grooves and face texture deliver more spin (on average up to 200 rpm more spin). The new TX4 wedges, are designed with a machine milled, parallel face texture, which allows for a more consistent groove edge.

The results on the PGA Tour have shown up immediately. 74 wedges went into the bags of PGA Tour players the first week they were available on tour in October of 2015.

The Vokey Wedges on display in Orlando at the PGA show.

By January at the Career Builder Challenge the number was 138, which was won by Jason Duffner who switched to 3 SM6 models that week.

World #1 Jordan Spieth put 4 SM6 wedges in his bag at Kapalua Maui to win the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

“These are the best wedges we’ve ever made,” Vokey said. “Our engineers have taken everything I’ve learned in working with our tour players, PGA Pro’s and amateurs over the last 20-plus years, everything (Vokey Tour rep) Aaron Dill has learned from being on tour week in and week out, and brought it to life with technology that will help golfers at every skill level of the game. SM6 is really the total package.”

Vokey SM6 wedges are available in golf shops at $149 MAP and $169 MSRP. For more information see Titleiest.com or visit Vokey.com.

  MCQ’S SPORTS DOME is your place for indoor golf ( no wind there today), and for Blackhawks hockey tonight. Need to bet horses, you can do that in the OTB. Get ready for Derby Day, and for the outdoor opening of Mistwood in April. Visit Mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-7600 for the dome. Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at 7.  _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook,Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy, with Scotty Cameron.

There are several top names when it comes to custom putter design, but none might stand taller than Scotty Cameron who is part of Titleist.

It’s always interesting to see the Cameron crazies come out in force to see Scotty Cameron appears at places like the PGA show.

Scottie didn’t disappoint again this year either. Not only was Cameron out signing autographs, but he spent time talking to everyone that his questions or comments about his designs, or what might be on the drawing board.

The new Scotty Cameron Putters coming on the market.

Scotty Cameron and Titleist have announced his newest line of custom putters will hit the pro shops on April 8th.

The new design features innovative new face technology, blend milled Scotty Cameron craftsmanship  with a new enhanced multi-material design that should deliver tour-validated performance with unmatched feel and feedback, that according to Titleist and Cameron.

The new Scotty Cameron Newport Select

“The new Select line promotes feel while expanding what’s possible with performance,” Cameron said. “We’ve now extended the methodology of our proven multi-material technology to include new stainless steel inlays for blades, as well as aluminum inlays for the mid-mallet models. The result is a better look, a better sound, a better feel and a better product.”

The new Select Newport, Newport 2, and Newport 2.5 models, are a heel-and-toe weighted blade that is designed to support a more flowing stroke. Each of the models has a sole-to-topline 303 stainless steel inlay that is precision mid-milled and hand-buffed to a brilliant, metallic finish, which is then bonded to a stainless steel body which uses a high-tech vibration dampening material.

The new Scotty Cameron Newport M2 select

The Newport 2 Notchback Dual Balance model will suit the players that prefer the famed Scotty Cameron Newport style head, but need more stability in their stroke.

All the Dual Balance models, Newport 2, Notchback DB has a 50-gram heavier head (which is 400 grams total) and a 50-gram counterweight in the butt of the shaft. This configuration helps many golfers have a proper stroke when the butt of the shaft can remain pointed at midsection.

The new Cameron lines create a mixture of the following features. Multi-Material Technology, Balance and Forgiveness, Enhanced Alignment Options, Responsive Feel for Feedback, Tour Proven Performance, newer and modern Aesthetics

The full new line includes Newport, Newport 2, Newport 2.5, Newport 2 Notchback, Newport M1, Newport M2, and Newport 2 Notchback Dual Balance.

The new Cameron Select Line putters are MAP $379 with a MSRP $410. The new Select Dual Balance putter is MAP $399 with a MSRP of $425.

For more information on the new Scotty Cameron Putters that hit the stores and pro shops on April 8th, see Titleist.com or Scottycameron.com

  IT’S NOT TOO LATE to visit the Links & Tee’s Golf Dome on Lake Street in Addison, while working on your golf game who can see the latest award the facility has won (Being held by Director Charles Sims). Hit’em where it’s warm and dry over at Links & Tee’s. See Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275. THE HALFWAY HOUSE at 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst gives you the best simulator golf, over 90 courses from around the world, or check out the daily specials. Lessons, leagues and more. The Halfway House is next to HB Jones, book a tee time at Halfwayhousegolf.com – (331)-642-8050. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With Roger Cleveland (L) of Callaway Golf at Cog Hill in Lemont.

If you ask Frank Jemsek the owner of the Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, he will always tell you we are open all year round.

Actually while courses 1 & 3 stay open all year round, courses 2 & 4 actually do close for a while in the winter.

But the range, lessons at the famed Cog Hill barn on the back of the range and the pro shops don’t close either.

The best news is that as spring and summer get ready to arrive, Cog Hill is gearing up for the warm outdoor part of the season.

The famed Cog Hill back of range barn, lesson central.

This year Cog Hill will continue to grow the great game of golf by getting the Cog Hill Junior Tour in full-swing, but by announcing a partnership with the Hurricane Junior Tour.

In series of events that will run all summer long, there will be plenty of dates for all the kids to tee it up at the junior tour events.

EASTER is coming and the annual Sunday Easter Brunch is on the table from 10 Am to 3 Pm at Cog Hill on Sunday March 27th, call and reserve your time and table today.

The Par 3, 6th hole at course #4 “Dubsdread” at CogHill.

Cog Hill now has several memberships to pick from.

There is the Course #4 Dubsdread membership, the Cog Hill Golf Association, Junior Golf Membership and the Junior Golf and range membership.

Cog 4 Dubsdread will open for the year in early April, but the real good news is that Cog 2 is now open for the season.

Contact the pro shop to sign up or get more information on memberships.

Special outings coming up include the Spring Scramble on April 2 & 3, and Donuts and Doubles on April 6th.

The Titleist PRO V1 and PRO V1x golf balls on sale at Cog Hill.

If your ready to start the outdoor golf season, and your golf bag feels a little light due to a shortage of golf balls. Now is the time to stock up at Cog Hill.

Cog Hill can help you get some FREE Titleist Pro V1 and PROV1x golf balls to fill up the bag.

Buy 3 dozen balls and a 4th dozen for free, offer good until April 17th.

COG HILL is proud to announce that long time Oak Brook professional Trey Van Dyke has joined the Cog Hill teaching staff.

NEED A SUMMER JOB, Cog Hill is looking for caddies and boys and girls ages 14-21 with some golf experience are urged to apply.

For more information on the summer ahead at Cog Hill, see Coghillgolf.com or call the club at (866)-COG-HILL.

   SPRING is coming but it’s not here yet, so in the meantime why not enjoy the comforts of Chicago’s Top Indoor golf simulator facility The Halfway House at 555 S. York Rd. in Elmhurst, where you can play over 90 courses from around the world. The Halfway House has daily specials, lessons from pro’s and leagues to join. So why not enjoy one of those high dollar courses, for a lot less by playing them at the Halfway House. Call now (331)-642-8050 or online at Halfwayhousegolf.com. LINKS & TEE’S on Lake Street in Addison is a year round award winning golf facility. The outdoor course and range are not open yet, but the golf dome is. So stay warm and dry in your final tune ups for the great days outside ahead, call Links & Tee’s at (630)233-7275 or see Addisonparks.org. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor Florida. Follow Rory’s Travel’s on facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.

The weekend saw a mix in weather and just enough change to show the best is still yet to come.

I know the need to get outside is starting to get in everyone’s system, yeah mine too. But if you want to get your get right before you go outside, you still might wish to practice indoors.

Award  winning domes like Links & Tee’s in Addison, MCQ’s dome in Bolingbrook or simulator golf like at the Halfway House in Elmhurst are all good options. With Sunday’s rain and cooler temps the courses that are open might play a little soggy this week. So don’t be afraid to give them a little time to dry out and firm up. If your really ready to play outside in some drier conditions, take advantage of spring break and head south or southwest.

If your headed southwest to see spring training baseball there are plenty of good courses around the Phoenix area. If your heading southeast there are even more to pick from. I have posted stories in the last few days about Innisbrook, Santee South Carolina and Charlotte North Carolina. Nothing wrong with any of those places.

The opening hole on Copperhead home of the Valspar Championship, that concluded yesterday at the Innisbrook Resort.

Did you watch any of the TV coverage from the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook this past week. If so you saw the Innisbrook resort which is really on the come back trail under owner Sheila Johnson who has put some money back into the property. Valspar extended it’s contract with the tour and resort into 2020, which shows how great golf at Innisbrook is being received. For the second straight year the championship had record crowds.

It shows, and not only on the Copperhead Course but around the property. The Tampa area is a great place to spend the spring, and Innisbrook is a great place for golf and many other activities. See my story on Innisbrook from a few days back for more details. I enjoyed my weekend stay right after the PGA Show in January and you will too if you visit. Copperhead is a PGA Tour course you can play, take advantage of that by visiting visitinnisbrook.com or calling (800)-456-2000.

Santee National, Par 5 second hole. Santee South Carolina

On my way to Florida I stopped off in Santee South Carolina for the first time, and found some great golf off the coast in South Carolina. Don’t get me wrong I love Myrtle Beach, the Charleston area and Hilton Head Island, but was surprised how good the golf was a bit inland. Santee is about 55-60 miles northwest of Charleston, and worth the drive our from Charleston to visit.

I was impressed by Santee National and villas just off the first tee, I opened my 2016 golf season there after getting snowed out on Pinehurst #8, and while No.8 is a great course I have no complaints after playing Santee National. If you want some quality golf away from the water, try Santee by visiting GolfSantee.com.

The 18th Hole at the Ballantyne Golf & Resort in Charlotte NC.

Charlotte North Carolina just might be more of a golf destination than most golfers think.

Due to scheduling I had time to only play one golf course while in town, and had to do it on a 40 degree day.

I had played Ballantyne Country Club 4 years ago, but got to play the resort course at the Ballantyne Hotel this time. The course is not bad for being squeezed in around a business complex, but have several holes that have a true North Carolina feel to them. If business brings you to Charlotte consider Ballantyne. While I was in Charlotte I stayed at the best Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites I have ever stayed in, which was located on McDowell Street. The suites were excellent and comfortable and the staff was always ready to go the extra mile. The Fairfield Marriott is located near the NASCAR Hall of Fame and not far from the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers home stadium.

My good friend Ray Roth formerly of Mt. Prospect and Barrington, now of Charlotte took me to a great Italian Restaurant called Mama Ricotta’s near the Marriott. Make sure if your going for dinner you get there early enough before the line to get a table gets too long. I highly recommend the Lasagna.

So if your ready for outdoor golf in warm weather, Innisbrook Resort north of Tampa Florida, Santee South Carolina and Charlotte North Carolina are all good options. Feel free to check them out.

Veteran golf scribe Len Ziehm playing the Conservatory Golf Club in Florida.

BIG 3 Partner Len Ziehm has the Ziehm machine on the road again as he works his way back towards Chi-Town.

Visit Lenziehmongolf.com to see his travel notebook, and reports on the World Golf Hall of Fame, Amelia island, and Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Ziehm reports he is now in route to Myrtle Beach South Carolina, and will have another report in a few days.

Ziehm’s weekly column in the Arlington Heights based Daily Herald, returns at the end of the month and runs into October this fall.

I TOOK a tour around the Arlington Lakes Golf Course in Arlington Heights this past week, the course reopens on July 1st from renovation. The clubhouse will open a little sooner from it’s renovation work. Arlington Lakes will be a fun sporty course with 3 and 6 hole short loops for those without the time for 9 or 18. So put ALGC on your schedule for this July. In Arlington Hts. play the best 9-hole Par 3 course in town the Nickol Knoll golf club on (Walter) Payton’s Hill, play 9 holes in 90 minutes and always fun. The course is expected to be open by next weekend.

Here in town lets hope to get some dry out days later this week, so our courses start to firm up for the summer ahead. RS

  THE HALFWAY HOUSE located at 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst next to HB Jones. At the Halfway House owner Susan Phillips (L) invites you to play over 90 courses world wide, take a lesson, join a league or just have fun with your favorite golfing or non-golfing friends. Why not check out the daily specials, Thursdays are half-priced beer day. Call (331)-642-8050 to book your tee time or online see Halfwayhousegolf.com.      _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With the PGA Championship Wanamaker Trophy.

It’s not long now until the 2017 PGA Championship will be played in North Carolina. Yes North Carolina and in Charlotte North Carolina.

Who would have thought there was golf outside of Pinehurst North Carolina. While Pinehurst provides outstanding golf, Charlotte has some pretty golf courses as well.

So when the world of golf descend’s on Charlotte in 2017, there will be plenty of courses waiting with open tee sheets waiting for you to come and tee off. Every year at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club, crowds come out in force to see the top players compete for the title. This time in 2017 the players will be competing for a major title. Quail Hollow will shut down for a renovation after this years PGA Tour event and reopening in time for the PGA. It should be a great week. But if your in town prior to PGA week, here are some other ideas.

The Marriott Fairfield Inn McDowell St. in Charlotte is a great place to stay, and near several attractions

Don’t be afraid to check into the Marriott Fairfield Inn on McDowell St. in Charlotte.

You will enjoy covered parking, before you go inside to be greeted by a friendly staff. If you get a room on the upper floors, you will have a nice view of the city.

Close-by are other attractions like the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers don’t play far away either. The Marriott Fairfield has 196 guest rooms and 17 suites. There are upgrade options with balconies and King Suite Rooms. The Presidental Suite on the 11th floor has 1,740 Sq. feet so you can spread out and feel at home.

Need more ? Okay how about Free-High Speed Wifi, Complimentary hot breakfast buffet and shuttle service within 3 miles of the hotel, and morning newspaper. 24 hour front desk help, business center and fitness center. For more information on the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Charlotte Uptown call (800)-551-1692 or (704)-372-7550.

The 18th hole at the Ballantyne Resort and Hotel.

If your interested in a more high end setting right on the golf course, especially if it’s business bringing you into Charlotte, try the Ballantyne Resort and Conference Center which is only a few miles from the downtown area.

This 18 hole course sits right outside the hotel, and concludes with a par 4 that wraps around a pond with water spraying in the air. The green is trapped as well.

A group of scenic par 3’s await you during your round at Ballantyne.

For a golf course that is built into a business park styled area, you would not know it on several of the holes. But the blue-glass themed office park does show through on a few holes.

The holes that are more exclusive do have that tree lined North Carolina tall pines feel. The par 3 holes are all great tests, with water coming into play on more than one of them.

When arriving at Ballantyne, it is crucial to remember that there is a private Ballantyne Country Club just up the road, and the two courses with almost the same name can give your On-Star or GPS routing device fits and leave you at the wrong golf course.

Ballantyne is the home of the Dana Rader Golf Academy if you or your group are looking for some serious instruction. For more information on Ballantyne Resort Golf call (704)-248-4383 for tee times or see the resorts website for rooms and more.

For golfers looking to play multiple courses and visit some of Charlotte’s top attractions while in town, see Charlottesgotalot.com. If you are coming for the PGA Championship in 2017, please do plan ahead and book rooms and tee times early.

 LINKS & TEE’S the year-round golf facility has a warm and dry place for you, all weekend long to work on your golf game. Visit Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275 for more information, and when Links & Tee’s will open it’s outdoor golf facilities. MCQ’s Dome in Bolingbrook is ready for a weekend of fun, indoor golf, horse racing in the OTB, plenty of sports to watch in the sports bar. Get that final off season tune up from a golf professional on the Mistwood golf club staff, see Mcqsdome.com or 630-739-7600. ______________________________________________________________________

The GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At Santee National Golf Club in Santee SC.

In South Carolina that are many great places to play golf, some get more publicity than others.

Many of the top rated courses sit over in Charleston, Hilton Head Island or in Myrtle Beach. many of them have water or ocean views, and there is nothing wrong with that. Many of those courses come with bigger price tags as well.

That doesn’t work for everyone, and so if your a golfer with or without a big budget, and you would like to enjoy great golf with a price tag that is not so high, then why not visit Santee South Carolina. Several good quality courses that will leave you plenty of cash to visit the merchandise racks and the good places to eat.

The Villa’s at Santee National located just to the right of the first fairway are spacious and comfortable, and they kind of look like a famous clubhouse.

Santee sits some 55 miles northwest of Charleston in an area that would remind Illinois golfers of the Chain O’Lakes area in Lake County of Northern Illinois.

For years the golf in Santee was looked at as cheaper golf, but not offering quality of properties that were located on the coastline. THAT is no longer true.

Newer courses built in the last several years, along with better access to from the interstate to the Santee area have been game changers. As a result business is continuing to grow and more golfers are finding Santee.

  Clark’s is the historic center piece of Santee, it offers great food and a place to stay.

From behind the stick on the Par 5, second hole at Santee National Golf Club.

Santee has 8 courses that are within minutes of the downtown area, if you wish to expand your drive up to 30-60 minutes more, your list of options for great golf will grow in big numbers.

Golfers to Santee need to experience the Santee National Golf Club, designed by the late Porter Gibson.

Gibson’s straight forward approach gives the course a variety of looks, and it’s well routed to take advantage of elevation change.

 The Par 3, 5th hole, and the Par 4, 12th hole at Santee National combine the different looks the course has to offer. The 5th hole is a straight forward par 3, where par should be obtained with a good tee shot, and the 12th hole requires a solid tee shot with an uphill demanding tee shot, to a green that have some tricky pin placements.

The Par 3, 6th hole at Lake Marion Golf Club in Santee SC.

Santee National plays from the tips at 6,900 yards, but has four sets of tee’s, with the front tee’s playing at 4,719 yards.

Santee National is both enjoyable and challenging for golfers of all skill levels. If you spend the night in the villa’s at the course, there is nothing like walking out of them and right to the first tee.

The practice areas are great, especially for golfers coming down from up north who need to work off the rust from or during the winter season.

LAKE MARION is the perfect course if your in need of a quick in and out of town. Located only seconds off Interstate 95, golfers wanting to stop in Santee before moving on can play Lake Marion and stay on schedule.

The golf course is not long at 6,475 from the tips but that does not mean it’s easy. There are some tight holes where your tee shot needs to be well struck.

There are great chances to score right off the first tee and at the end of your round, since the course designed by Eddie Riccoboni opens and closes with par 5 holes that play at less than 500 yards. The first hole will require a water carry on your third shot.

The Lake Marion pro shop is one of the most stocked shops you will find anywhere. There is a large supply of balls, clubs, shoes, shirts, caps and more. The shoe area carries a very wide selection and quite often some good sales.

A few of the other good golf courses in the Santee area are the Orangeburg Country Club an Ellis Maples design that was renovated by Pinehurst area architect Richard Mandell in 2009. Santee Cooper Country Club and the Wyboo Golf Club wont disappoint you either.

For more information on Santee South Carolina area golf, please visit GolfSantee.com or call (800)-345-7888 or (803)-854-2149 or email [email protected]

 Charles Sims holds the GRAA award for Links & Tee’s Golf Facility in Addison, which is a multiple time Golf Range Association winner. See Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275 for more information, the golf dome’s open. Andy Mickelson of Mistwood Golf Club and the home of McWethy’s Tavern on Renwick Road Mcwethystavern.com, kisses the Taylor Made national championship trophy. Call Mistwood Golf Club at (815)-254-3333. Congrat’s Andy on yet another win, and this one coming on Pebble Beach Golf Links.     ______________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                              The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content.. On the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort (Part of the Salamander Resort Chain) in Palm Harbor Florida, home of this weeks PGA Tour Valspar Championship, defending champion is Jordan Spieth. Follow Rory now on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy.       ______________________________________________________________________

  Illinois Alum Steve Stricker sits tied for lead at 5 under par after 36 holes of the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook. Packard’s Steakhouse in the Copperhead Course Clubhouse is a tribute to longtime golf architect Larry Packard who designed the courses at Innisbrook. Packard passed away at the age of 101 back in 2014.

Innisbrook is part of the Salamander Resort chain that operates under the direction of Sheila Johnson. Johnson’s commitment to both the overall property and golf, has again made Innisbrook and the Salamander Resorts award winning resort destinations.

Innisbrook has four golf courses. The North, the South, the Island and Copperhead, that just came out of a multi-million dollar renovation. The PGA Tour touring professionals are enjoying that while competing this week. The Copperhead Course is home to the “Snake Pit” that is comprised of the course’s final three holes 16-17-18. Sixteen is a par 4, dogleg right that must be played around water. If your drive goes long you can run through the fairway and into the trees. Seventeen is a long and well-bunkered par 3 hole. Eighteen requires a straight drive and an approach to a green that is tucked back along the trees, and in the mounds and bunkers. It’s false front can leave approach shots rolling back into the fairway. Survive the Snake-Pit and your round should be a good one.

The trophy room greets visitors when they check in at the Osprey Clubhouse.

The Copperhead Course plays to a par of 71, and the back tee’s sit at 7,340 yards.

The Island Course weaves past Lake Innisbrook and other ponds on the front nine. The back nine is seeing some very large homes going up around some of the holes.

Some holes are narrow and it’s best to leave the driver in the bag, strategic plays off both the 9th and 18th tee’s are important so your ball stays dry both on your tee shot, and into both greens. A good score here shows a golfer is on his her game that day. The course is 7,310 yards and plays to a par of 71.

The par 3, 8th hole on the Island Course plays uphill, and demands more club than most golfers think.

The North Course is not long at only 6,325 yards from the tips. But it’s par is just 70 and the course requires some good shot making to score.

The South Course plays longer at Par 71, and 6,620 yards but can play challenging because of the winds that flow through the course right off the Gulf of Mexico.

There are three pro shops where golfers can shop for top brands in merchandise, or dine before or after golf. Of course there is a practice range, which is centrally located between all four of the courses.

Comfortable villa’s run throughout the resort, here in the St. Andrews building guests get a view through the curtains onto the Copperhead Course.

Accommodations come in the forms of rooms or suites. There are three different sized suites, along with deluxe guest rooms.

Need more, well there is plenty more.

How about the 12,000 Square Foot Salamander Spa that has 12 treatment rooms, and there is a over 4,000 square foot state-of-the-art fitness center.

There are several options for dining all day long around the resort, or if you need a quiet evening, there is room service until midnight. The resort has six swimming pools, including Loch Ness that is complete with a sand beach,waterfalls and two waterslides.

On the business side Innisbrook is completely prepared to handle your groups of up to 1,000. There is over 65,000 square feet of meeting room space and a 22,000 square foot grand ballroom for special events and over 8,000 square feet for trade shows.

There are plenty of other activities offered by the resort from tennis, volleyball, racquetball and fishing trips out into the gulf.

The Halfway House Indoor Simulator Golf, located at 555. S. York Road in Elmhurst, play over 90 courses worldwide. Halfwayhousegolf.com or call (331)-642-8050.

The resort is just north of the Tampa area, and activities held in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater are not far away. The Tampa airport is a 30 minute drive from the resort.

For more information on the Innisbrook Resort please call (800)-492-6899 or online see Innisbrookgolfresort.com. For information on other Salamander resort properties you can visit Salamanderhotels.com.

Some of the other Salamander Properties in the Florida are the Reunion Resort in Orlando, minutes from Disney World, or the Hammock Beach hotel located on the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Coast Florida just south of the St. Augustine/Jacksonville area. Not far from the World Golf Hall of Fame.

 Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton on Butterfield Road, Course and range open today.     The Halfway House at 555 S. York Rd in Elmhurst, it’s Gamble Friday. 331-642-8050.       Links & Tee’s an award winning Golf Facility on Lake Street in Addison, Dome is Open. McQ’s Dome Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook, Golf Dome, OTB & Sports Bar, Golf Dome is Open.

The Gog Blog by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. On Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort home of this weeks Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.

   McWethy’s Tavern at Mistwood Golf Club Open Year Round-Mistwood Opens in April.    _____________________________________________________________________

The Arlington Lakes Golf Club will reopen on July 1st of this summer.

The Arlington Lakes Golf Club is working it’s way towards it’s grand re-opening on July 1st of the summer ahead.

Director of Golf Operations Tim Govern and his staff are excited about the new look brought to the course by architect Mike Benkusky.

A few of the front nine holes were re-routed in an effort to create the short lops of 3-6 or nine holes. Golfers will have those options when the course reopens. All of the work has not been just limited to the golf course.

  A new upstairs bar is just one of the upgrades in the clubhouse at Arlington Lakes.

While speed golf so to speak will be happening out on golf course with the addition of the 3-hole loops on the front nine, where golfers with not much time to spare can get around the course in no time, and will not be able to complain about pace of play. The new indoor and outdoor grill area’s are expected to be a big hit.

Work is happening in the pro shop, to streamline it for maximum use.

The pro shop is getting a face lift as part of the $400,000 clubhouse renovation program.

In addition to the pro shop and the indoor and outdoor eating area’s getting redone, the washrooms and the ballroom upstairs are getting redone.

When Arlington Lakes reopens on July 1st, golfers should get a fantastic new golf experience on and off the golf course.

Architect Mike Benkusky has Arlington Lakes back on track, and ready to go by July 1st.

Benkusky and Govern got selected to speak at the USGA Slow-Play symposium this winter. The creation of the three-hole loops to generate growth of the game, advancement for kids programs, and getting golfers through their rounds faster by playing less holes caught the eye of the USGA.

The question now is, how well will it be received by golfers. At this time it’s expected to be received very well.

Crews work to ready the Arlington Lakes Golf Club for reopening on July 1st.

The golf begins on Friday July 1st at 9:30 am with the Course Awakens Golf Outing.

There is a free morning of activities that include guided tours of the new course and more.

Free clinics by PGA professionals on the Arlington Lakes staff. There will be a trick shot artist, and chipping and putting contests. Kids can take part in a three-hole tournament for only $5 dollars. Advance registration is required so to sign up call (847)-577-3030. There will also be a BBQ lunch and Ribbon cutting ceremony that day.

IN THE AFTERNOON you can be one of the first people to play the new layout, there is a shotgun outing for only $79 per person or $300 per-foursome. There is a gift bag for each person and a buffet dinner reception and prize ceremony after golf.

You can sign up at Ahpd.org/algc to sign up. Arlington Lakes opening July 1st, be there.

     THE HALFWAY HOUSE at 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst is your home for simulator golf, the daily special tomorrow Thursday is Half-Price Beer day, can’t beat that. So call (331)-642-8050 and book your tee time today. MCQ’s Dome on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook is 3 times the fun, golf, betting horses in the OTB, great food and beverage in the sports bar. See Mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-7600. Links and Tee’s one of the few year round golf facilities in the Chicago has just come off winning another GRAA Award. So until the outdoor side of Links & Tee’s is open in the summer, come get your game ready in the dome. See Addisonparks. org or call (630)-233-7275, located on Lake Ave. ______________________________________________________________________

The GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. At the PGA Show in Orlando,photo by Cassy Tully.

   Tim Govern the Director of Golf Operations has a lot to smile about as Arlington Lakes Golf Club moves closer toward it’s July 1st reopening date. Arlington Lakes is upping it’s game for 2016, are you ?

More coming up on Arlington Lakes over the next few days, stay clicked in.

Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton

Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton will open it’s range and golf course this Friday March 11th.

The clubs famed 19th or 28th hole is open as well. the club is hiring for the upcoming season.

See Arrowheadgolfclub.org. The club is located on Butterfield Road in Wheaton.

      THE HALFWAY HOUSE the home for the best in Simulator Golf is located at 555 S. York Road in Elmhurst, daily specials like PAR-TEE Tuesday’s on the tee today. Make Your tee-time at (331)-642-8050 or visit Haflwayhousegolf.com. LINKS & TEE’S golf facility is one of the few year round places for golf in the Chicago area. Summer might be coming but the golf dome is still open for those wet and windy days. So come on out and grip it and rip it at Links & Tee’s, visit Addisonparks.org or call (630)-233-7275.        _____________________________________________________________________

The GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With Johnny Miller for Zero Friction at Medinah.

Last week current NBC Golf Broadcaster and former U.S. Open and British Open Champion Johnny Miller came to town and made a stop at Medinah Country Club, on behalf of the Oak Brook based Zero Friction golf products.

Zero Friction is making a golf glove that Miller is endorsing. The Motion Fit Style glove is a one size fits all, that will mold to your hand.

The company started by making golf tee’s in 2001, and expanded it’s tee line in 2005.

By 2009 the company starting making golf balls, 2012 the company moved into grips and clubs, and advanced it’s technology into tee’s and gloves for all golfers.

The Zero Friction Johnny Miller endorsed glove

Zero Friction compressed fit gloves come on line in 2014, and in 2016 Johnny Miller acquires a stake in Zero Friction.

The company develops products with the following criteria in mind. 1. Product credibility, 2. Technology Driven Performance Enhancement, 3. Purchasing Merit.

The Zero Friction three pronged tee eliminated 66% of tee coverage, that allowed greater ball to club face pure impact hitting area. Since it’s inception the Zero Friction 3 prong tee has been a part of over 70 PGA Tour victories.

Zero Friction gloves come in a big variety of colors for both men and women, another full line of sizes and colors exist for the junior golfers in your family.

Are yo a veteran, or wish to support our military veterans, you can purchase dessert style camo gloves. Zero friction gloves come in the motion-fit system or you can buy them in the pure Cabretta leather. If you wish you get your gloves complete with both a tee and ball marker holders attached.

Zero Friction now has a full line of bags to haul around clothes or items of need for business. Re-grip your clubs with Zero-Friction colorful grips.

For more information on Zero Friction see Zerofriction.com or call (877)-316-7492.